our audience engaged, provide meaningful work for our people, and help fill the gaping holes in our budget. And do this without putting audience or staff at risk. Thankfully, we have a large repertoire of shows. Some are large
rod puppet shows with popular titles, so we started there. Families are our core audience. The inside-your-oven Phoenix summer is hot, so anything but an early morning show was out of the question. We sent surveys asking people if and when they would come.
Based on responses, we decided on 8 a.m. Saturdays throughout the summer. Our masked crew arrived at 6 a.m. to haul out plat- forms, staging, puppets, and sound equipment. Sound is broadcast to car radios via an FM transmitter.
Reservations are required so that puppeteer/organizer extraor- dinaire Lisa Haslbauer can devise a parking plan and send the audience an informational e-mail. Payment is in advance and by the carload.
As we learned which shows worked well, Gwen Bonar wrote and built a new show for the new format. Dinosaur Picnic features giant cardboard dinosaurs mounted on backpacks. The show is wildly popular, so she wrote a holiday version. We are hoping we can open the theater again in April 2021. By then, we will have done at least 54 Drive-In Puppet Shows. Now that temperatures have cooled, we’ve shifted show times later. We are so glad to be doing live theater. And the income helps.
How are reservations handled? Reservations must be made by 5 p.m. the day before, so the parking plan can be developed. People can call in or book online.
How big is your stage? Large and medium shows: at least 9 feet wide by 13 feet tall.
Small shows: at least 7 feet wide by 9 feet tall.
How many cars can you park? Large shows: 23 Medium shows: 16 Small shows: 6 Extra shows are added as needed.
Helpful tips! Close the entrances to the parking lot the night before, so you don’t get a surprise car in a reserved spot in the morning.
Have a couple of transistor radios in case some- body has trouble with their car radio.
How do you keep everyone safe? all times. Close interaction backstage is between family members only. Performers have dedicated audience e-mail asks people to stay in their cars restroom has touchless soap and towel dispensers
Is this the answer to all your problems? No! But it helps. We think we’re gonna make it.
Dinosaur Picnic ends with a parade around the parking lot, and curtain call in front of the stage. Photo: Tommy Cannon
17
Lisa Haslbauer at a private birthday party Drive-In with The Little Red Hen. For smaller shows, cars pull up to the curb. Photo: Nancy Smith
Gwen Bonar & Nancy Smith greet audience after a performance of Little Red Riding Hood. Photo: Gavin Cummins
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